Author: communications

MEET DEIRDRE, AN ADULT CARER FROM NOTTINGHAM

Posted on December 20, 2024 by communications - Blogs

MEET DEIRDRE, AN ADULT CARER FROM nottingham

Captured at one of our *creative:voices* projects.

During September and October 2024, Create musician Bethan Roberts led a series of online music workshops as part of our creative:voices programme, designed to provide adult carers with much-needed respite. Delivered via Create Live!, the workshops enabled carers from The Carers Federation in Nottingham to explore their creativity, connect with others and rediscover joy in a supportive and accessible environment.

We spoke with participant, Deirdre (78) who shared her experience of balancing her caring role for her husband with with her own need for creative expression and mental wellbeing.

Deirdre’s Story

“I care for my husband David. We’ve been married for 56 years. He’s got subcortical vascular dementia, which means he’s got all this intelligence but absolutely no memory – about 30 seconds, if I’m lucky. It means everything needs [to be repeated]. He still thinks he can do everything he used to, like cooking, and that puts him in quite a dangerous position.

“We’ve always shared all home responsibilities until [these] last 10 years when he started to decline. Now my responsibilities include trying to get him to exercise and trying to give him a bit of variety in life. I feel sad for him because his freedom of choice is gone now.

“And I suppose I always lack sleep, which makes me very weepy. Because I need to check on him at night.”

The value of such engagement goes beyond the workshops themselves. Participants find joy in the process and feel proud of their achievements, demonstrating that creativity can be a powerful tool for resilience and growth.

ADDING CREATIVITY BACK IN

“I miss my hobbies. I used to walk a local trail every morning, but I can’t do that now. I can’t just nip to the shops. I’ve lost the ability to write poetry. I’ve had to cut back on everything I do.

That’s where this music [project] has been so important to me because it’s brought creativity back into my life. I have an appointment with it.

“And my main challenge at the moment is I need to think about myself more. This is a good starting point to enabling me, hopefully, to take some of those further steps that I know I need to [take].”

THE POWER OF MUSIC

“We’ve been taking part in a creative music [project] on screen alongside other people. Much to my immense surprise, we’ve written the words and music for a song. It was quite exciting to hear it all come together. We got to see our music grow and develop, in the same way as plants would grow in a garden, which was very rewarding.

“My favourite part of the workshop was when we coloured along to music. It really linked me to the music. I’ve just bought myself some watercolour pencils so I can do it for myself. I’m excited to try and take it a stage further if I can.”

TEAMWORK

“I’ve gained an awful lot through working as a team and conversing with other people on this project. It’s been great fun to work with people who I hadn’t met before and there were so many talents in the group. The teamwork has been such an important part of the project.”

CREATIVITY AND WELLBEING

“I loved being creative. It took me away physically, mentally, and emotionally from my caring role. I’m very tied down by my caring, because I’m a 24/7 carer with just an hour and a half of help each day. But creating things takes us away from ourselves. When you’re involved in creating, you can’t think about how much your feet ache or how your brain is in a fuzz.

this project has added hugely to my life. It’s added to my contentment because I feel I’ve accomplished something and done something different. I think everybody needs someting creative because it takes you out of yourself into another world.

“It’s difficult to get your own growth or your own needs met when you’re a 24/7 carer. David has no idea of any of my needs now, which can be quite painful because I can’t connect with him in that way anymore. So this project has helped me to consider where I am mentally. This is what brings me to tears. I’ve had to think about myself and not somebody else. I have to think about making sure that I’m all right, as well as my husband. And that makes all the difference.”

CREATE LIVE!

Create Live! is Create’s platform of online workshops. Running creative sessions online enables us to engage participants who might previously have been unable to take part.

“One of the really good things [about Create Live!] is that is hasn’t taken me out of the house. It’s allowed me to do an awful lots of things, but I’m still in contact with David if I need to be. And he knows where I am. It takes away the stress, because I know that I’ve settled my husband down and that he’s alright. And I know that I can walk out at any point and check on him, which is fantastic.”

creative:voices is one of Create’s many programmes designed to bring creativity, connection, new skills and joy to those who need them most. For Deirdre, it’s been a lifeline – offering respite, self-expression, and the confidence to nurture her own wellbeing.

This project is funded by The Smiles Fund, awarding funds from Comic Relief and Walkers.

BUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH MUSIC: CREATIVE:CONNECTION IN MANCHESTER AND SALFORD

Posted on November 30, 2024 by communications - Blogs

BUILDING CONNECTIONS THROUGH MUSIC: CREATIVE:CONNECTION IN MANCHESTER AND SALFORD

At Create, we believe in the power of the creative arts to connect people, build skills, break down barriers, and foster a more inclusive society. We designed our creative:connection programme to bring together disabled and non-disabled children, enabling them to build relationships and dismantle stereotypes around disability. Our recent project in Manchester/Salford, led by four of our professional musicians, brought this vision to life, offering young participants from four mainstream and special schools the unique opportunity to collaborate on music and lyrics.

In a society where disabled children have few opportunities to engage with their non-disabled peers, projects like creative:connection are crucial. Research shows that disabled children experience social isolation more frequently than non-disabled children, often with limited opportunities for interaction in communal settings. Further research reveals that disabled children often face barriers in accessing music education. creative:connecton tackled this head-on, creating a joyful, inclusive environment where participants could express themselves, learn new skills, and connect with each other.

gaining confidence through music and collaboration

Throughout the project, the young people grew in confidence as they learned to play instruments, write lyrics, and perform as an ensemble. For many, this was a transformative experience. One participant shared, “I enjoyed playing in an ensemble with the other school,” while another said, “Matt and Bethan [Create’s professional musicians] are amazing teachers; they make me feel more confident, even when I mess up.”

Staff at the schools noted the positive impact on those who typically struggle with confidence:

They have engaged really well, those who struggle with confidence and conversation came out of their shells to share their creation and their work.

finding joy and creative expression together

As the groups worked toward the final performance, the joy and camaraderie among the participants became evident. A parent in the audience shared, “He doesn’t ever tell us what he does at school [yet] every night this week, he’s come home and told us what he’s been doing, he’s loved it.” This feedback underscores the value of these inclusive spaces, where young people feel empowered to share their experiences.

creative:connection was part of Manchester Literature Festival and this year’s theme, Joy!, was beautifully expressed by the participants. They came together to create a new music piece entitled Mystic Bolero, which one of the musicians described as “very different to what school groups normally create — it’s on another level.” The power of shared creativity was palpable, with participants commenting, “It’s fun and it makes me happy” and “I liked the creative side, coming together to write the lyrics.”

the power of connection and community

On the day of the final performance, all four schools gathered to share their collaborative creations. Watching the students perform and seeing their pride in what they had achieved together was truly moving. One of the school staff members said, “I’ve had to stop myself from crying, please, please, please come back next year.” The musicians involved also noted the students’ hard work, with one saying, “Teamwork and creativity are absolutely great, producing two wonderful pieces of music. They have worked so hard.”

The feedback from both participants and staff reflects how projects like creative:connection build meaningful connections and foster an inclusive community.

CREATING CHANGE – THE ROLE OF THE CREATIVE ARTS IN SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN CARE

Posted on November 30, 2024 by communications - Blogs

CREATING CHANGE – THE ROLE OF THE CREATIVE ARTS IN SUPPORTING CHILDREN IN CARE

For children in care, finding stability, expression and community can be a challenge. At Create, we believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their creativity in an empowering environment. Through projects such as our:voices and creative:spaces, we work with children in care across the UK, introducing them to a variety of art forms and offering creative projects that boost confidence, promote wellbeing and build community.

Studies show that young people in care often experience higher levels of isolation, with fewer opportunities to engage in activities that support emotional and social development. Engaging with the creative arts can provide a valuable outlet, helping to develop resilience, self-confidence, a means of self-expression and a sense of belonging. According to research by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, creative engagement can be instrumental in helping children in care to process their experiences, creating positive impacts on mental health and social connections.

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CONNECTION THROUGH THE ARTS

Create’s projects give children in care the chance to learn new skills and build lasting connections with peers. Earlier this year we ran a series of projects in partnership with Fitch Group. 14 year old Isaac, who took part in creative:spaces, described the experience, saying:

When you are creative, you use your brain more, and you can see how much more powerful your brain is. It helps you to not think about other things … it gives you a break from the world.

These moments of self-expression help children look beyond their daily struggles and embrace the freedom of being creative.

Each project is designed with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration, bringing young people together to share and celebrate their talents. Isaac also reflected,

“Everyone’s style was different … we just had fun, worked together and made the time more enjoyable.”

For children who may face social or emotional challenges, these projects foster a supportive environment where they can open up, feel valued and gain confidence in a group setting.

CREATIVE:SPACES AS A PATHWAY TO POSITIVE CHANGE

Beyond personal growth, our projects encourage children in care to view themselves as part of a larger community. Through projects like creative:spaces, their work is displayed in public and professional spaces, celebrating their achievements and highlighting their creative potential.

“I am proud [that the artwork will be displayed in Canary Wharf] because people get to know that kids nowadays are not just all stuck to their phones. We can actually do other stuff, and we have creative minds.”

According to findings from the Impact of Arts & Cultural Education on Children Looked After, creative programmes can improve self-confidence, self-esteem and emotional resilience for children in care, helping them form connections that might otherwise be difficult due to frequent moves or disrupted schooling. Moreover, studies like those conducted by Youth Music reveal that the arts provide an important sense of belonging and a safe space for young people to share their experiences, making them feel valued and empowered within their community.

INSPIRING FUTURES THROUGH CREATIVITY

At Create, we witness the power of the creative arts every day. For children in care, creativity is more than just an activity. It provides a welcoming space where they can explore their identities, express emotions and build connections. These projects go beyond building artistic skills. They create meaningful connections, foster emotional resilience and open up new possibilities for the future.

This festive season, we invite you to support Create’s mission to bring creativity, joy and empowerment to children in care. Every contribution helps us provide our participants with opportunities that make a lasting impact on their lives, allowing them to experience the freedom and confidence that comes from creative expression. With your help, we can unlock potential, offer support and inspire brighter futures for those who need it most.

Supporting Young Carers to Create and Connect This Christmas

Posted on November 30, 2024 by communications - Blogs

Supporting Young Carers to Create and Connect This Christmas

Christmas can be a difficult and isolating time for young carers, due to the intensity of their caring responsibilities. Action for Children’s UK-wide survey of young carers under 18 found that 21% are providing care for a loved one for more hours than the average workday, dedicating 11 hours or more each day during the Christmas break. We spoke with Raven, a nine year-old young carer from Winchester, who recently took part in our art:space project. The project gives young carers the chance to do something for themselves and express themselves through the creative arts.

caring for a loved one

“I care mainly for my little brother, because he’s got autism, and he doesn’t understand things as a normal child would. I play with him a lot and it’s fun. We get on well because we’re good brothers and sisters. It’s just sometimes I need a little bit of a break. And thank [goodness] Winchester Young Carers introduced me to Create. It’s really nice to be here. It helps young carers because sometimes when you are caring for someone, you need to take a breath of fresh air and to take a step out the house for a second.”

community through the creative arts

As a result of their caring responsibilities, 44% of young carers interviewed by Action for Children reported missing out on Christmas social events. This sense of isolation over the holidays contributes to feelings of stress and loneliness for one in five young carers. Raven shared the positive impact that art:space had on her social skills and confidence.

“We have been using our imagination and creating sculptures and little pieces of art. We’ve been using a lot of different art materials, like cardboard, foam, spray paint, paint and paper. It’s been really fun to explore with all these materials.

I have never made [foam sculptures] before. I made some cat ears and I actually felt amazed [when I finished them] because I didn’t think they would look as good as they did.

It’s been very good [working as a group]. We’ve been socialising how we should, and everyone is working together in a safe environment. There’s been lots of kids here I didn’t know, so it’s upped my confidence for socialising. I’ve had a lot of help from the staff and other kids and it’s been really wonderful.”

being creative

Raven’s experience at art:space highlights the importance of creativity in young people’s lives. For young carers like Raven, having the chance to explore their imagination freely is essential. It brings a sense of joy and accomplishment that can be hard to find amid the pressures of caregiving.

“I’ve enjoyed how I could use my imagination. [Being creative] feels really good. It’s really fun, and you can just do whatever you want with our imaginations. It is very important, because you do need to use your imagination once in a while, even when you’re an adult, you still need to use it.”

art:space is part of Create’s extensive provision to empower young carers across the UK. By offering them a safe place to create, express and connect, we aim to make the holidays a bit brighter and help young carers like Raven discover their full potential. This Christmas, we invite you to support Create’s mission to bring creativity and joy to young carers across the UK all year round.

Create shortlisted for FANTASTIC FOR FAMILIES Awards

Posted on November 12, 2024 by communications - News, Blogs

Create shortlisted for FANTASTIC FOR FAMILIES Awards

I’m delighted to share that Create has been shortlisted for the 2024 Fantastic for Families Awards! Our art:links programme has been recognised in the Best Age-Friendly Outreach category, highlighting creative programmes that bring lasting positive impact to older adults across the UK.

EMPOWERING OLDER ADULTS THROUGH CREATIVITY

Through art:links, we’re tackling the critical challenges of loneliness, boredom, and isolation that so many older adults face. In 2020, around 1.4 million older people in the UK reported feeling lonely often, with nearly 200,000 unable to access the support they needed to leave their homes. This isolation isn’t just a feeling – it’s been shown to impact overall health, with links to increased risks of depression and cognitive challenges as people age. By providing spaces where older adults can connect and create, we’re helping to turn the tide on these issues, nurturing resilience and joy through shared creative experiences.

Our art:links programme provides a meaningful response, bringing older adults together in weekly creative workshops that empower, engage and uplift. Research shows that engaging in creative activities can significantly enhance wellbeing, reduce stress and foster a sense of belonging, especially among older adults. In partnership with 12 local services, including Age UK branches, dementia hubs and support centres, our professional artists co-create projects tailored to participants’ needs and interests. From music and ceramics to storytelling and visual arts, each session offers a valuable chance to connect, learn, and thrive in a warm, supportive space.

CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS AND LASTING CONNECTIONS

This past year, art:links delivered 145 workshops with 334 participants across Greater Manchester and London, culminating in exhibitions and performances that celebrated each participant’s achievements. For many, these gatherings with family, friends, and community members are the highlight of the programme, fostering a sense of connection and pride that has lasting effects. One participant captured it best, saying:

“IT HAS AWAKENED MY IMAGINATION.”
art links participant

With the virtual award ceremony on 28 November, when the winners will be announced – wish us luck! – we’re proud to stand alongside so many other impactful organisations that showcase the power of the arts. Our thanks to Family Arts Campaign for this recognition and to our dedicated partners for making art:links possible.

We would also like to thank our funders: The Wimbledon Foundation, The Charity of Sir Richard Whittington (via The Mercer’s Company), The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Arts Grants Scheme and City Bridge Foundation.

You can read more about our art:links programme and the other inspiring initiatives shortlisted here.

Nicky Goulder, Founding Chief Executive

tHE CREATIVE ARTS and Mental Health

Posted on October 31, 2024 by communications - Blogs

tHE CREATIVE ARTS and Mental Health

At Create, we get to see first-hand how the creative arts enhance individuals’ wellbeing. This was reflected in our 2023/24 social value report: 100% of our participants said that attending Create projects improved their quality of life; and 98% of them reported improved self-esteem.

Our findings reflect recent research from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) which found that “people who took part in arts and crafts reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction, as well as a stronger sense that life is worthwhile.” Moreover, ARU concluded that “helping people to access affordable opportunities for creativity could be a major boost to public mental health.”

This aligns with Create’s mission of enable those who are isolated or marginalised to take part in free high quality creative arts experiences. Below, we hear some of their stories.

FINDING MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL RELIEF THROUGH ART

“Being creative has been really great. It’s been great to express our emotions through body movement and dance. Some days when I have got here, I have felt really emotional. I’m literally holding in tears. And at the end, I feel lighter and better because I’ve moved my body and I’ve been able to come away from my responsibilities and roles at home. I’ve learnt that for me personally, body movement is very important. I used to take dance classes and I really used to enjoy it. But everything stopped and I’ve felt very stagnant. So doing something like this is really important. And I feel more motivated when I’m within a group. I just love the way that movement allows you to release lots of energy from your body as well. It just allows you to move and release that stress in a way. It’s been really nice for my mental health. It certainly helps, 100%” – Nimisha, adult carer, Harrow

“I loved being creative. It took me away physically, mentally and emotionally from my caring role. I’m very tied down by my caring, because I’m a 24/7 carer with just an hour and a half of help each day. But creating things takes us away from ourselves. When you’re involved in creating, you can’t think about how much your feet ache or how your brain is in a fuzz. It’s being able to use my brain and body differently and in a stimulating way.” – Bridget, adult carer, Nottingham

“[These workshops have] been really uplifting for my mood. I suffer with a low mood, but doing the artwork gives me moments where I feel like my mind is creating space. I always compare it to a glass jar, and mine’s really full, overflowing and cracked. I’ve got no more space to do anything. But when I come here and do art, it empties some of that jar. And I can use that empty space to do my caring role.” – Shabana, adult carer, Manchester.

“Being creative felt good because sometimes everything is stressful, especially as I have assessments coming up. It’s been nice to be able to do something else besides that. Creativity has really helped with my mental health, especially doing art with other people. It’s helped me take my mind off of everything and focus on something else for a little while.” – Jack, young carer, Uxbridge

BUILDING LONG-TERM MENTAL HEALTH TOOLS THROUGH THE ARTS

“That’s where this music project has been so important to me because it’s brought creativity back into my life. I have an appointment with it. And my main challenge at the moment is [that] I need to think about myself more. This is a good starting point to enabling me, hopefully, to take some of those further steps that I know I need to do.” – Bridget, adult carer, Nottingham

“I call it my ‘me time’. Because I’m given a chance to come and do what I want to do, and just be free and I’m not being judged. And the fact that it’s creative is good because my creativity has just gotten to spark up. I would recommend it to others as well. I even told my doctor about it and she was really happy I had something to help with my mental health and all the things I’ve got going on at the moment. I really loved the ‘yes, and’ [activity], where somebody says something and you continue with ‘yes, and’. That was both therapeutic and creative for me. It’s actually helped me in my personal life. It has given me a positive outlook by saying ‘yes, and’ instead of going negative and spiralling down. It’s been good in that regard.” – Yvonne, older adult, Islington

“Taking part in this project, I learned that art can be quite relaxing and therapeutic and that it can also help with pain. Obviously, I rely on painkillers, but art can calm your body down, which is quite nice. Projects like these can help people in hospital see a different perspective. We can see the beauty in the very mundane things through art.” Blair, young psychiatric hospital patient, Manchester

ART IS FREEDOM – A conversation with a survivor of modern day slavery

Posted on October 17, 2024 by communications - Stories

ART IS FREEDOM – A conversation with a survivor of modern day slavery

Over the summer Create partnered with law firm, Ashurst and crisis charity, Hestia to deliver a series of painting workshops with survivors of modern slavery. Hosted at Ashurst, these workshops where part of Hestia’s Art is Freedom project, which empowers survivors to use creativity as a means of self-expression and healing.

As part of the project, participants’ artwork will be presented as part of Hestia’s Art is Freedom Exhibition, held to raise awareness of Anti-Slavery Day. This year, the exhibition will run from 7- 20 October 2024 at Trafalgar Square, Waterloo Station and Victoria Station. The exhibition also took over the Piccadilly lights on the morning of 18 October to mark Anti-Slavery Day, with artworks accompanied by the message, ‘ The art is free, and now so are the artists.’

Five people looking at the Art is Freedom artwork on display at the Piccadilly Lights.

Under the guidance of our professional Create artist Rachel McGivern, participants created stunning paintings in response to the theme ‘unlocked’.

Below is an interview with one of the participants, who chose to remain anonymous.

HOW CREATIVITY HEALS

“[Coming into the project] my brain was very empty because I was very heavy and I was so tired with myself and with my medicine. [This project] has given me a way to live a life like sailing on water. [Create] taught me and showed me a way to come out of the dark room I was in. I’m very thankful for Create and for the art [workshops].”

“I continue to share because you need to have courage to break these things. Break the silence and come out free, share with others, you’ll find a solution. Which we have a solution for this.”

“I’ll never finish creating. Until I die, I create and I will never finish. I take inspiration from the things I experience around me.”

BEING A SURVIVOR

Freedom is a big word. It’s very important for me. All I hope is that these words will come true.

“If you are suffering, tell people that you are suffering. I’m still thinking about how I was suffering. No one understands my pain in my country. They neglect me, torture me, beat me, they never showed me love, which I get from this country.

“[I curated a painting of] myself and my friend. We are still looking for our freedom, which we don’t have right now but we are looking for this. We are swimming in a big sea and we still haven’t reached our boat yet. We are still swimming and still struggling.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ART IS FREEDOM EXHIBITION

“[The theme unlocked] is very beautiful and it’s quite heavy because I’m still looking for the key to unlock myself from the situation that I am currently in.”

“It’s a big message for me. I’m happy to share my art picture in this exhibition. I want to share with everyone, please don’t sleep in darkroom. Come out and see the sun. Fight for yourself. Never give up. Fight for yourself, even though life is hard. I came here to find a safe place to live and I’m safe. Yes, I’m safe. All my paintings are about birds and butterflies. When I was so small, I couldn’t run to catch butterflies because someone abused me and I couldn’t fight by myself. So now that I’m here, I’ve come to live the rest of my life in the happiest of moments.”

“I’m happy to collaborate with the group. Everyone is taking their own big step, they have their own motivation on their mind and we can learn from each other and how each of us struggle, how we can help each other, and how we can be friendly to one another.”

Create wins Mental Health Award

Posted on October 11, 2024 by communications - News, Blogs

Create wins Mental Health Award

We are delighted to announce that Create has won a prestigious Mental He a lth Award, recognising the importance and value of creativity for wellbeing.

Our creative:voices programme with adult carers won the “Most Innovative Proactive Wellbeing Activity” category at the Mental Health Awards ceremony in Reading last night.

Create CEO Nicky Goulder and Director of Programmes Kristian Sakulku at the Mental Health Awards

We are thrilled that the creative arts have once again been formally recognised as a powerful tool for enhancing mental wellbeing. The award recognises the important work that we deliver across the UK with those who selflessly provide unpaid care to their loved ones. It is made all the more special by being Create’s first award for this area of our work. Winning this award is also valued recognition of the quality of our dedicated team’s commitment and passion and I am so proud of what we have achieved.

At Create, we fundamentally believe that people need to create. It is often the most marginalised people in society who are excluded from accessing the benefits of the creative arts, whilst also standing to benefit the most from taking part.

The adult carers who take part in our creative:voices programme certainly fall into this category. They are often disadvantaged, marginalised and hidden, which can lead to poor mental health and low self-esteem. And so many of them do not have the time or resources to access the creative arts in their day-to-day lives. The poverty rate for adult carers is 50% higher than for those who do not provide unpaid care _{^{(Carers UK 2024)}} and 68% are unable to get a break from their respite care when they need it _{^{(Carers Trust 2023)}}.

When I look at all the pieces I made on this project, they look beautiful. It’s relaxing and good for your mind.
creative:voices participant

Many adult carers say that their personal relationships, social lives and leisure time have been restricted due to their caring responsibilities. They often feel a sense of guilt, stress and isolation connected to their caring, which makes access to appropriate support essential.

We designed creative:voices to alleviate feelings of isolation and enhance mental health, enriching carers’ sense of belonging in their community and increasing their confidence in themselves and their abilities. The project enables them to take a creative break from their caring responsibilities, to meet others and boost their mental wellbeing.

I enjoyed the project and found it therapeutic. It always brightened my day when I came here. You don’t know what creativity you have until you try it.
creative:voices participant

We see every day the profound impact that creativity has on people’s mental health and wellbeing. When given the chance to engage with the creative arts, people learn new skills and positive attitudes, they build connections, find fulfilment, and discover the sheer joy of creating.

With this award, we are taking one step closer to our vision of a world in which everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to engage in the creative arts.

Thank you to the Mental Health Awards for shining a spotlight on our work, and for highlighting how creativity is an indispensable tool for enhancing mental wellbeing. Thank you to the dedicated carer services across the UK with which we partner. And thank you to The Smiles Fund partnership between Comic Relief and Walkers for funding this life-changing programme.

Nicky Goulder, Founding Chief Executive

CASE STUDIES

Stories

MEET saba, AN ADULT CARER FROM manchester (carers week)

This Carers Week, we are shining a spotlight on the 5.7 million unpaid carers across the U…

Stories

MEET PAM, AN ADULT CARER FROM sefton

creative:voices is Create’s multi-artform programme that enables adult carers to take a …

Stories

Meet ADULT CARERS Elizabeth and sue, CREATIVE:VOICES PARTICIPANTS

MEET ADULT CARERS Elizabeth and sue, CREATIVE:VOICES PARTICIPANTS creative:voices is Create’s…

Stories

Dharmesh, an adult carer from harrow

MEET DHARMESH: AN ADULT CARER FROM HARROW Dharmesh, a 56-year-old GP, who took part in creative…

Stories

Meet Renee, an adult carer from Islington

creative:voices is Create’s multi-artform programme that enables adult carers to take a …

artwork by members of Carers Leeds in creative voices project

Stories

Meet Alexandra, an adult carer from Leeds

creative:voices is Create’s project giving adult carers the opportunity to explore …

SOLVEIG HERZUM ~ NURTURING TALENT 2024/25 cohort

Posted on October 3, 2024 by communications - Stories

SOLVEIG HERZUM ~ NURTURING TALENT 2024/25

Nurturing Talent is Create’s 12-month part-time professional development programme for emerging artists. Designed and delivered in close consultation with our professional artists, it is now in its ninth year. During 2024/25, it is upskilling five emerging artists from a range of disciplines, providing them with training and experience so they can develop their creative workshop facilitation skills in diverse and challenging settings. By working alongside our professional artists, they are also giving our participants access to high quality creative arts experiences.

We spoke with Solveig, a London-based documentary filmmaker, writer and director, halfway through the Nurturing Talent programme. She told us about how it has influenced her facilitation skills as well as her own artistic development.

DEVELOPING SKILLS TO WORK WITH DIFFERENT PARTICIPANT GROUPS

“Nurturing Talent has really helped me develop my facilitation skills. Specifically, it has helped to develop my skills, capacities and sensitivities around working with different high-demand participant groups. For example, I had never worked in [Special Needs] school settings or with young carers before.

“I’ve been encouraged to reflect a lot on my role as a facilitator and the space that I create for the participants. I’ve learned specifically about how to craft a space for participants that is both safe, and encourages them out of their comfort zone.

“We’ve also reflected on the ultimate goals of the workshops we lead and how to design them in a way that guides participants toward achieving those outcomes.”

LEARNING FROM CREATE ARTISTS

“Learning from the Create artists has been lovely because I’ve built some really meaningful connections. The very first workshop I assisted on was with [theatre maker and puppeteer] Robyn Olivia. She participated in the Nurturing Talent programme [in 2021/22], so she was very much a peer who I was able to learn from.

“For my next project I worked with Cheryl Moskowitz [a writer who has been working with Create for almost 20 years]. Cheryl is a veteran of workshop leading. We developed a lovely relationship and she’s become someone I can really look up to. We actually met up recently in Philadelphia this summer as we were both there.

“Through these experiences, I’ve been able to develop both peer and mentor relationships with the artists I’ve worked with. I can see reflections of myself in my peers, building friendships, while also seeing how my career could evolve in the next 20 years.”

HAS THE PROGRAMME INFLUENCED YOUR OWN ARTISTIC PRACTICE?

“My artform is documentary filmmaking and it’s all about relating to people in the real world. The Nurturing Talent programme has developed my communication skills and my ability to connect with the sort of people who might eventually be in a film of mine. It has deepened my cultural awareness. For example, I now have an understanding of the lived experience of young carers, having worked with a group from Carers’ Hub Lambeth. This knowledge will influence my future work as a documentary filmmaker.

“Facilitating filmmaking workshops for others has also really made me reflect on the craft of filmmaking and storytelling. For example, some participants struggled with how to make a story clear to an audience. This made me think about how I approach clarity in my own professional work. It’s helped me see that there are still things I have to come to grips with in my practice.

Lastly, being involved in projects outside my artform has really benefitted my creativity. For example, doing drama or puppetry workshops reminded me of the joy of creating things that aren’t real. That has made me think about my own documentary work and reflect that filmmaking doesn’t always have to be real or super journalistic. It has helped me see how to expand the potential of storytelling in my own work.

“Overall, Nurturing Talent is just a lovely balance of support and challenge. I feel very nurtured.”
SOLVEIG HERZU

“WE KNEW THE PROJECTS WOULD WORK BECAUSE THEY’RE BEING DELIVERED BY A TRUSTED ORGANISATION.” – AN INTERVIEW WITH FUNDER JOHN LYON’S CHARITY

Posted on September 25, 2024 by communications - Blogs

“WE KNEW THE PROJECTS WOULD WORK BECAUSE THEY’RE BEING DELIVERED BY A TRUSTED ORGANISATION”

John Lyon’s Charity (JLC), a grantmaker transforming the lives of young people by creating opportunities to learn, grow and develop through education, has supported Create’s work since 2013. Since then, with funding secured from JLC, Create launched changing:minds and community:matters, reaching numerous disabled young people, young carers and refugees in the funder’s priority geographical areas.

We spoke to Anna Hoddinott, Director of Communications & Strategic Grants at John Lyon’s Charity, about this valuable long-term partnership.

Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.
Anna Hoddinott

Why did john lyon’s charity decide to start supporting create?

“There’s a lot of synergy between JLC’s values and those of Create. Create strives to evolve constantly, develop and hone its offerings. We see the value in Create’s approach and methodology; projects cross a multitude of different artforms and can be adapted to various audiences with various needs.”

WHY did you choose create to co-design programmes, changing:minds and community:matters?

“We have known Create for a considerable amount of time, which has enabled us as funders to believe in its ability to have the right impact and outcomes. Create’s openness and flexibility to develop programmes targeting priority groups and locations for JLC, made the charity an ideal partner. This flexibility put Create in a really strong position to secure funding for new projects: we knew the projects would work because they’re being delivered by a trusted organisation.”

Why do you think create’s work impacts the lives of children and young people?

“The positive impact starts from the beginning. Participants can choose the artform that most resonates with them, giving them agency over their experience. This element of co-creation is really empowering and gives a greater impact because participants know that they are taking part in something that they have chosen to do.

“It’s really important that the participants are not delivered to, but delivered with. That really comes across with the work that Create does; participants are encouraged to find their own way through projects, while being supported to engage as much as they are able. The projects I have visited are always really engaging for the participants. All of the young people seem to be really enthusiastic.

“On the whole, the impact on participants is huge. And not just in the moment, but also long after the end of the project, instilling confidence, a sense of wellbeing and all the positivity that engaging in arts projects can bring.”

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY?

“Creativity is fundamentally important for everybody. I think it’s important that creative arts are included in school curriculums, but they are so often overlooked in favour of more academic subjects. Having access to creativity and cultural capital can boost everybody’s mental wellbeing, helping people thrive emotionally, professionally, and in relationships. Creativity gives a mirror to see yourself reflected and a window to view the world through different perspectives. Being able to access creativity leads to a really well-rounded society with really healthy and grounded people within it.”

if another organisation was considering supporting create, what would you say to them?

“Do it! It’s difficult to find organisations that deliver such a range of activities, specialising in working with so many different participant groups, with such quality. Create has a passion for interrogating its work and striving to be the best that it can be, combining diverse artforms, passion, drive, high-quality practitioners and rigorous evaluation all in one place. If a funder wants to fund really high-quality projects, then Create gives a lot of options.”